ECType

ECtype is a term used in computational biology and bioinformatics to denote a data label or type that encodes enzyme classification information. The most common reference is to the Enzyme Commission (EC) numbering system, which classifies enzymes by the chemical reactions they catalyze.

Structure and representation: An EC number consists of four integers separated by periods, for example 1.1.1.1. ECtype representations can store the four fields as numeric components or as a string. Some implementations also support an associated enzyme name, reaction equation, or organism context. Validation often ensures that each field falls within valid ranges (1–6 for the first field; typical ranges for the remaining fields depend on the dataset or version).

Usage: In databases and software, ECtype helps in searching for enzymes, linking to pathway databases, and harmonizing annotations across resources. It may be used in APIs, data schemas, or user interfaces to present and validate EC numbers, and to support cross-referencing with resources such as UniProt or KEGG.

Limitations: The EC numbering system is periodically updated; revisions can change classifications. Not all enzymes have an EC number, and synonyms or obsolete numbers can exist. ECtype definitions can vary across projects, so clear documentation and provenance are important for data integration and downstream analyses.

See also: Enzyme Commission, enzyme nomenclature, KEGG, UniProt, bioinformatics data types.

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